Ahead of US-Iran talks, Trump says Iran has "no leverage" except for its control of the Strait of Hormuz.

AFP reports that Trump posted on his social media platform "Truth Social," stating: "The Iranians don't seem to realize they have no leverage at all, other than short-term blackmail of the world with international waterways." Trump added: "The only reason they still exist today is to negotiate!" The 79-year-old U.S. President noted in another post: "The Iranians are better at manipulating fake news media and public relations than they are at fighting!" Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran on the 7th, this key waterway is set to reopen. However, due to Tehran's ongoing threats, actual vessel traffic remains sparse. Trump remarked yesterday that Iran has done a "very poor job" regarding the passage of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting, "This is not the deal we reached!" Trump told the *New York Post* today that if negotiations fail to reach an agreement, U.S. warships are being rearmed and prepared for an attack on Iran. The *New York Post* quoted Trump as saying: "We are refitting. We are loading our warships with the best ammunition and weapons, even better than before... If no deal is reached, we will use them, and we will use them very effectively." U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, today to lead the U.S. delegation in talks with Iran this weekend, warning Tehran not to "play games" with Washington. Vance said: "If Iran is willing to negotiate in good faith, we are certainly willing to extend an olive branch. But if they try to play us, they will find our negotiation team is not so easily bought." (Compiled by Xu Ruicheng) April 11, 2026